VI
EN
Vietnam's highway system is constantly improving, shortening travel times between localities and facilitating road trips. Furthermore, owning a personal car allows travelers more control over choosing accommodation, planning sightseeing, and experiencing local cuisine more fully.
However, self-driving travel also requires thorough preparation in terms of itinerary, vehicle, and health. Travelers need to ensure their vehicles are regularly maintained, fully equipped with necessary items, and adhere to traffic safety regulations throughout the journey.
With airfares skyrocketing this summer, many people have opted for traveling by private car as a reasonable and economical alternative.
Summer travel by self-driving car
Summer 2024 marked a memorable occasion for Phuong Tu's family (tourists from Hanoi) with their first self-drive road trip. The 6-day journey took the whole family exploring the route from Hanoi to Cua Lo, Nghe An. Along the way, the family spent a day visiting Hue and three days in Da Nang to witness the vibrant fireworks festival.
Choosing to travel by car instead of plane due to the high cost of airfare gave Phuong Tu's family a new experience. The whole family had more freedom in terms of time, could control their schedule, and had the opportunity to bond more through the beautiful roads. Sharing the reasons for choosing a summer trip by self-driving car, Phuong Tu said that saving costs and having control over their time were the two main factors that led her family to choose this option. In addition, traveling by car also provided more interesting experiences along the way and strengthened family bonds.
Summer 2024 marked a memorable occasion for Phuong Tu's family (tourists from Hanoi) with their first self-drive car trip.
“If we choose to fly, the round-trip cost for 6 people from Hanoi to Da Nang is around 30 million VND. Besides that, there will also be additional costs for transportation to and from the airport. Meanwhile, the cost of fuel and toll fees for a trip by car is only about 5 million VND. Furthermore, we don't have to depend on flight schedules, which are sometimes delayed, and the waiting time at the airport. My family can be flexible with our travel time; we can stop along the way to visit, rest, and eat; and we have more experiences than flying. In addition, we won't spend money on taxis or Grab at tourist destinations…”, Phuong Tu shared.
Phuong Tu also suggested another itinerary for a road trip through the central provinces. It's a 6-day journey exploring the route from Hanoi to Thien Cam, Ha Tinh. Along the way, travelers can spend one day visiting Quang Binh and three days in Da Nang.
Choosing to travel by car instead of plane due to the high ticket prices gave Phuong Tu's family a new and exciting experience.
Summer travel trends 2024
Domestic airfares in June and early July tended to decrease compared to the previous month; however, this decrease was insignificant and did not meet the expectations of many travelers.
According to reports, round-trip airfare from Hanoi to Da Nang during the weekend (Friday to Monday) in July averages over 3 million VND for flights at inconvenient times. Flights at more favorable times cost nearly 5 million VND, with some flights even reaching 7 million VND. If travelers are willing to fly at night on both ways, they can save around 2.2 million VND per person. However, night flights can cause inconvenience for travelers, especially families with children.
The summer travel trends of tourists in Northern Vietnam in 2024 show a clear change compared to previous years, as reflected in the destinations and modes of transportation.
In early July, the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority requested airlines to add more aircraft and strictly control ticket prices, ensuring transparent pricing and avoiding confusion for passengers. However, many experts in the tourism industry believe that night flights are not the optimal solution for tourists in the summer because the additional costs for hotel rooms and transportation can significantly increase the overall cost of the trip. Furthermore, cheap night flights are usually only suitable for solo travelers or couples, and do not meet the needs of families with children or elderly people.
Therefore, the summer travel trends of Northern Vietnam in 2024 have changed significantly compared to previous years, as reflected in the destinations and modes of transportation. Instead of traveling long distances to the Central and Southern provinces as in previous years, Northern tourists mainly choose closer destinations such as Da Nang. Private cars have also become the preferred means of transportation due to the high prices of air and train tickets.
Tourists from Northern Vietnam mainly choose nearby destinations.
The main reason for these changes is the significant increase in travel costs for the whole family due to airfare prices. Sleeper train tickets also become scarce during the summer, making it difficult for travelers to get around.
Summer travel trends for 2024 show that tourists from Northern Vietnam are prioritizing cost-effective options for their summer vacations. Nearby travel is becoming a new trend due to its convenience and affordability. Additionally, road trips by personal vehicle offer a fun and independent experience for travelers.
Local travel is becoming a new trend due to its convenience in transportation and affordability.
The "close to home" trend is also becoming a popular choice for summer travel in 2024, as evidenced by the growing trend of self-driving car tours. This trend is predicted to continue growing in the coming years due to factors such as rising costs and changing travel habits.
However, self-driving travel also has limitations that need to be considered. Long-distance driving, especially with families including children or those prone to motion sickness, can be tiring. Self-driving can be uncomfortable for those who are easily affected by motion sickness, impacting the travel experience. If there is only one driver, long journeys can become dangerous and stressful for the driver. Furthermore, this mode of travel is not recommended for travelers with limited time, as it requires significant time for transportation.
The "close to home" trend is also becoming a popular choice for summer travel in 2024, as evidenced by the trend of self-driving car tours.
